Jane relocated with her husband and kids to Louisville in 1990. Her husband had abused her before, but after moving so far from her close family and friends, the abuse only got worse.

Fearing for her life and for the lives of her children, she tried calling The Center for Women and Families’ 24-hour crisis line on two separate occasions, but each time she hung up as soon as someone answered. “I was just too afraid to say anything,” she explains.

When she placed a third call, she finally found her words and asked for help. With the Center’s guidance, Jane immediately was able to develop a safety plan. She’s since joined The Center’s Economic Success Program’s Individual Development Account (IDA) project, a matched savings program that helps her save for her own home purchase, college graduation and business start-up!

“It’s a goal I never thought I would reach. For years I was told I was ugly, stupid and that I couldn’t do anything right, but I reminded myself that I can do anything I set my mind to. If you are being abused, know that you’re not alone. There’s help available.”